Lightning throw-off device



Oct. 21, 1930- E. cs. EARNHARDT LIGHTNING THROW-OFF DEVICE Filed July 23, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEY Ziwrfl Glam fianii,

Oct. 21, 1930. E. G. EARNHARDT LIGHTNING THROW-OFF DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 23, 1928 INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Oct. 21, 1930. I E. e. EARNHARDT 1,778,891

LIGHTNING THROW-OFF DEVICE Filed July 23, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIHIHHIH Zi'firZZ azkrmii ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Patented Oct. 21, 1930 EVERETT G. EARNHARDT, OF MOUNT CARMEL, PENNSYLVANIA LIGHTNING THROW-OFF DEVICE Application filed July 23, 1928.

This invention relates to a lightning throwoif device for high tension lines, the general object of the invention being to provide means for causing the lightning to leave the conductor or line and to dissipate itself in a number of trough-shaped members formed of wire mesh, and one of which is grounded, thereby preventing the bolt of lightning from damaging the insulators which connect the line with itssupporting means and from damaging the generators, the transformers and other machinery associated with the line.

Another object of the invention is to so form the hangers which support the line from the towers that said hangers will not inter fere with the passage of the lightning along the line, thus preventing the lightningfrom injuring the insulators and associated parts which connect the hangers with the tower.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts,

7 In describing the invention in detail, ref

erence will be-had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which': I

Figure 1 is a view showing the invention in use.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1. a

Figure 3 is a'view of one of the breaker members composed of woven wire and showing the insulators for supporting the memberfrom the tower and also showing a portion of a rod which forms a path for thebolt from the shield'to the breaker.

Figure 1 is a side view of the grounded wire mesh member.

Figure 5'is an end view thereof.

- Figure 6 is an elevation, partly in section, of the assembly which acts to divert the lightning from the line; i

Figure 7 is a section on line 77 of Figure 6. o

Figure 8 is aviewof one of the hangers.

Serial No. 294,661.

Figure 9 is a section on line 99 of F igure 8.

Figure 10 is a view of a modified form of hanger.

Figure 11 is a view of the preferred way i lines 1 together; A tower 1 is arranged adjacent the terminal of the line 1 and a tension bar 5 is connected intermediate its ends with the top of the tower by the string of insulators 6, and the lower end of the bar is connected to the top of a tower 7 by a string of insulators 8. The line 2 is also connected with the lower end of the bar 5, as shown at 9, and the line 1 is connected with the top of the bar 5, as shown at 10. A shield 11, of non-conducting material, is formed with a centrally located socket 12 into which the upper end of the bar 5 extends so that the shield is supported from the bar and the line 1 is connected with the lower part of the shield, as shown at 18. This shield is formed to provide a pair of parallel troughs 14 which extend longitudinally of the shield and it is also formed with a depending apron 15 which extends along one side of the bar.

A breaker or lightning dissipating member 16 is supported by the insulators 17 from the top of the tower 4, the body of this member being formed of wire mesh and is of trough shape with its ends tapering downwardly and outwardly and with the edges of said end parts bent over to form the outwardly extending flanges 17.

The body is fastened to a base 18 which is formed with the divergent arms 19, and this base is connected with the insulators 17. A coil spring 20 is fastened to one end of the base and a bar 21 is fastened to this spring, and the other end of the bar is fastened by a spring 22 to an eye bolt 23 which passes through the apron 15 into the upper part of i the bar 5. This bar 21 may be formed of ber 16 which is farthest from the member 16 is grounded, as shown at 25.

The hangers 26, for supporting the line 1 v fromthe towers 27, are preferably formed as shown in Figure 8, which shows avframe26 formed of two sections, this frame being of substantially ring shape. withits bottom portion bent upwardly into the ring, as shown at 26", with the lower ends of thetwo sections acting as a clamp to hold the fastener 28 whichaengages. the line 1. Theltop part of the'hangeris formed with the lug 28. to'which the; string of insulators 29 is connected, this 3 string beingv also connected with the'top'of the tower, as shown. I I

Flgure 11 shows two of these hangers in use, with the strings of nsulators converging upwardly and fastened to a clip 30 Which isconnected to-the top of thetowerl This arrangement forms a semi-tension device forsupporting the line from thetower.

Figure shows a modified formfof hanger,

inwhieh I use an inverted Ushaped member 31, the bight ofwhich'is connected with the string of insulators, and the lower ends of Y along the top of'the line. i

which are connected together by a cross bar 32 which carries thesupporting means 33 for the line 1'. It will be seen that in bothiforms of hangers, the line lis supported in a large opening formed by the hanger, so that there are no obstructionsfor the passage of the lightning over the line, as my theory is that the lightning travels in the form of a ball Fromtheforegomg, assummg that my theory is correct, it will be seen that the ball of lightning will travel along the line 1, passing throughgthe hangers without being obstructed by said hangers until it strikes the shield 11 whichacts to cause the lightning to pass fromtheline over thetop of theshield on to-the bar 21 over which it passes into'the member 1 6.. This member, being formed of woven wire, acts to break; upl or dissipate the bolt and then the lightning jumps .the gap between themember 16 and the member 16,

and-this member 16 acts to further dissipate the lightning and then whatever remains of the bolt passes to ground over the wire 25.

, Thus I have provided means for taking'a belt of, lightning from a; high tension line and dissipating the same without causing a fiash,', thereby. preventing the lightning f om d ma e-l s and it" f erre l means and the machinery in the power house and the distributing means. acts to prevent the current from the line 1 following the lightning across the bar '21.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent. I

It is to be understoodthatchanges may be made in the construction and in the comblna- .tion and arrangement of the several parts,

provided that ,suchchanges fall within th scope ofthe appended claims. a I

What I claim is 'lfA lightning' throw-ofl device for high tension lines comprising a pair of towers, a

vertically arranged tension bar, a stringjofe v insulators connecting the lower end of the" bar with the'upper end of one tower, a string of insulators connecting the bar intermediate its ends with the top of the other tower, a

shield of non-conducting material supported on the top of the bar, means for connecting one end ofthe line to the top of the bar, a. branchline connected with the bottom of the bar, a top line connecting the'two lines 'together, means for connecting the bottom of the shield to the main line, lightning dissi V pating '-1neans carried by onetower and av memberconnected withsuch means'and with I the bar and'form ng a path from the shield to such means;

2. A; lightning throw oft: device for hightension lines comprising a pair of towers, a vertically arran ed' tension bar, a string of insulators connecting. the, lower end of the bar with the upper end of one tower, a string of insulators connecting the bar interme-l diate its ends with the top of the other tower,

a shield of non-conducting material support,

ed onthe top' of the bar, means forconnect ing one end of the line to the top of thebar, a branch line connected with the bottom of the bar, a topline connecting the two linesto gether, means for'connecting the bot-tonrof the shield to the main line,-lightning. dissipating means carried by one tow'er,a memberconnected with such means and with the bar and forming a path'from the shield to such means, such means comprising a number of channel-shaped members formed of The apron wire mesh and spaced apart, the member,

farthest from the shield beingjgrounded and means for'insulating theother member from the tower. I 3. A lightningthrow-ofi device for high tension lines comprising a pairof tower s',*a

vertically arranged tension berg-a string; of insulators connecting thelower end of'the bar with the upper end of one tower, a'string of insulators"connectingtliebar intermediate its ends with the top of the other tower, a shield of non-conducting material supported onthe top of the bar means for connecting one end of the line to the top of the bar, a

branch line connected with the bottom of the bar, a top line connecting the two lines together, means for connecting the bottom of the shield to the main line, lightning dissipating means carried by one tower, a member connected with such means and with the bar and forming a path from the shield to such means, said members having downwardly and outwardly tapering ends, with the edges of the end parts turned over to provide outwardly extending flanges.

4:. A lightning throw-oft device for high tension lines comprising a pair of towers, a vertically arranged tension bar, a string of insulators connecting the lower end of the bar with the upper end of one tower, a string of insulators connecting the bar intermediate its ends with the top of the other tower, a shield of non-conducting material supported on the top of the bar, means for connecting one end of the line to the top of the bar, a branch line connected with the bottom of the bar, a top line connecting the two lines together, means for connecting the bottom of the shield to the main line, lightning dissipating means carried by one tower, a member yieldably connected with such means and with the bar and forming a path from the shield to such means and a depending apron on the shield between the bar and the yieldably supported member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EVERETT G. EAR-NHARDT. 

